Ben More and Stob Binnein

Ben More dominates Crianlarich and the road east, an enormous green pyramid offering no obvious easy approaches; the ascent is unrelenting. Its near neighbour Stob Binnein is often regarded as its twin, but this more retiring summit is actually the finer of the two peaks, a graceful cone above its supporting ridges.

Terrain

Very steep ascent and descent for almost all the walk. There are pathless sections with boggy ground, and some dangerous terrain if the route is lost. Higher up the ridges are broad with one avoidable scramble on Ben More.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Users' reports

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the A85 just east of Ben More farm. It is just possible to park carefully just off the road along here; alternatively there is a large layby half a mile further east at the west end of Loch Iubhair. Look out for a low wooden sign beside the A85 marked 'Ben More'; this indicates a small path which inelegantly crosses the ditch to join a track just above the farm; turn left up this. The track winds to and fro uphill, passing under the pylons, to reach a gate at 300m.

Stage 2

Go through the gate but after a few more yards find a suitable place to leave the track and begin the ascent of the steep, grassy and initially boggy slope ahead. The ascent is unrelenting and the height of the slope was much foreshortened when seen from below, but the climb isn't quite as steep as its formidable reputation amongst walkers, and the views back are superb. There are traces of paths but on this lower section it is really every man for himself. Further up there is a slightly better defined path which keeps a little to the left of the ill-defined lower section of the Sloc Curraidh, a corrie high on Ben More.

Stage 3

The path becomes well-defined as height is gained. The high corrie of the Sloc Curraidh has a very steep headwall and can be a dangerous trap in bad weather, or more especially in winter or spring when it is prone to avalanche - there have been fatalities. From about 800 metres there is a drystone dyke along the ridge round the north side of the corrie, and the path keeps just to the left of this (note that on the OS 1:25 000 maps the dyke is erroneously marked as a stream). Continue the ascent by the dyke to reach the steepest section of the climb to gain the rocky shoulder of Cuidhe Chrom. Once atop this the going becomes a little easier and the corrie is now below; the path swings left a little to permit views of Loch Tay before climbing the final slopes.

Stage 4

The summit of Ben More is marked by a large cairn and at 1174 metres there are no higher mountains in Britain anywhere further south. It is a wonderful viewpoint, from the fine form of Ben Lui in the west, round a great ark of the mountains of the southern Highlands to Ben Lawers above Loch Tay. There is a trig point a short distance beyond the cairn atop a rocky outcrop and this looks south to the elegant peak of Stob Binnein - the next destination for the walk. The descent between the two peaks is considerable, but there is a clear path. The route down from Ben More is rocky at first, with one short wall requiring a move of scrambling - though this can be avoided by diverting a little to the left. Further down the slopes are grassier though the path is a little eroded, and the Bealach Eadar da-Bheinn (the pass between the two hills) is reached at 862 metres, marked by an enormous boulder.

Stage 5

Beyond the bealach the ascent up to Stob Binnein begins. Again the path is clear and it zig-zags slightly to ease the long climb. There are no special difficulties and the small, flat summit of Stob Binnein should be reached without incident. At 1165 metres it may be slightly lower than Ben More, but Stob Binnein is the finer and more elegant peak. The view south takes in much of the Trossachs seen over a foreground of Stob Binnein's south ridge. This ridge too carries a path, this one leading to Inverlochlarig in the glen above Balquhidder - a long distance from the start by road.

Stage 6

Unless you are undertaking a traverse, you should descend back down the north ridge to the bealach once more. From the bealach a cairned path heads across the slopes below Ben More; however this path leads above some very steep rocky ground and is not the route of descent. Instead, head directly downhill to the west from the bealach. The slopes are very boggy at first, but soon a path forms alongside the stream. This descends on the left side of the stream all the way down to the glen and is boggy and slightly eroded in places. Once down in the glen head northwards downstream to reach the end of a track by a dilapidated bridge. From here do not cross the bridge, but simply follow the track along the glen. This eventually reaches the gate where the track was left earlier; pass through to return down the zigzags and eventually the A85 and the start of the walk.